BANGALORE: The recent large-scale fish kill in Puttenahalli tank, Ulsoor Lake and Vengayyankere tanks in the City have been attributed to a drastic drop in oxygen level in the water, which in turn was caused by untreated sewage water being let into the water bodies, the Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh said in the Legislative Council today.

He told Nafees Fazal (Congress) during Question Hour that in Puttenahalli tank, five tonnes of fish had died on June 15.

About 3.5 tonnes of fish were lost in Ulsoor Lake on January 25, while on May 15, Vengayyanakere lost two tonnes of fish.

Remedial measures and damage control steps have already been undertaken — the dead fish have been disposed of and aerators have been installed in two of the lakes to increase the oxygen levels. The sewage pipeline in Vengayyanakere has been repaired, and in all three tanks, it has been ensured that sewage water does not flow into the tanks anymore.

A committee, headed by the Bangalore Urban Deputy Commissioner, is now coming up with an action plan to prevent future occurrence of fish kill, he said.

Ms. Fazal suggested that all the lakes and tanks in the city be brought under the purview of the Lake Development Authority. Currently, the tanks are in the jurisdiction of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, or the Bangalore Development Authority and some that of the Forest Department.

She urged the Chief Minister to seek more funds under the National Lake Conservation Programme for restoring more tanks and water bodies in the urban areas.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |